Flange-shield.



BEST AVAEABLE COPE Patented Apr. 24, I900.

. BILLINGS.

GE SHIELD.

1 on filed Jan. 26, 1900.)

2 $heets$heat I.

,(No Model.)

//v VENTOR A TTOHNE rs WITNESSES (No Model.)

BEST AVAILABLE COP:

Patnted Apr. 24, I900. F. c. BILLINGS.

FLANGE SHIELD.

(Applicltion filed .hn. 26, 1900.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A 770/?NEYS BEST AVAlLABLE COPt UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK C. BILLINGS, OF MACON, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO ROBERT G.

KIRSOH, OF SAME PLACE.

FLANGE-SHIELD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 648,340, dated April 24, 1900.

Application filed January 26, 1900. Serial No. 2,864. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LFREDERICK O. BILLINGS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Macon, in the county of Macon and State of Missouri, have invented a new and Improved Flange-Shield, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to piano-actions for upright, grand, or square pianos; and its object is to provide a new and improved shield more especially designed for use on the several flanges of a piano-action to prevent the flanges from becoming loose on the rail and to hold the pivot-pins against working out of the flanges and to hold the latter in position on the rail even if a flange should split.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of my invention is represented in the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improvement as applied to an upright-piano action, the central rail being shown in section. Fig. 2'is a perspective view of the improvement as applied to the ham mer-butt flange, the hammer-butt and back-stop being in position on the flange. Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section of the improvement as applied on the rail. Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevation of the same with the flange detached, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the improvement.

The several flanges A of a pianoaction are secured by flange-screws B to the center rail 0, the several flanges carrying the pivots for a damper-lever E, the hammer-butt E, andrail C, so that upon screwing up the flangescrew 13 the head presses on the spring-back F, so that the ends thereof press equally on the flange A to firmly hold the flange in posi tion on the rail, and in case the flange-screw should become loose in the rail 0 then the resiliency of the curved spring-back F tends to draw the screw tight by pressing on the head in an outward direction, so that the flange is not liable to become loose on the rail C.

From the back F of the shield extend side arms F reaching over the sides of the flange A at the forward or pivot end thereof, the

arms F extending over the ends of the pivotpin D, so that the latter is prevented from moving transversely in its hearings on the flange, and hence itis impossible f or the pivotpin to work out of the flange. The forward or free end of the back F is out out, as at F, for the passage of the pivot end of the corresponding swinging partthat is, the damper lever, the hammer-butt, or the jack-rocker the cut-out portion giving free access to the moving parts, so that the shield does not interfere with anyof the moving parts. Besides the side arms will also prevent dampness,

causing binding of the hinge-pins. By the use of the shield the screw B is prevented from denting or otherwise injuring the flange.

From the foregoing it is evident that by the use of the shield described the loosening of the flange on the center rail 0 is prevented, and the spacing of the swinging parts is not necessary, as the cut-out portion F forms a guide for the swinging part. Furthermore, there is no necessity for adjusting the travel of the hammer or other swinging part, and there is no danger of the pivot-pins dropping out of the flanges, and in case the latter should become split the arms F will tend to hold the split portions of the flange together.

It is understood that the flange-shield can be used under the flange as well as on top and is also used under flanges in square pianos. The shield is to be made in different sizes, according to the sizes of the flanges on which it is to be applied.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- I F QQ'ST AVAILABLE COP:

1. A flan ge-shield having a curved springthe back at the forward end thereof, to extend back for engagement with a flange-screw, and over the sides of the flange and over the ends adapted to 'rest at its ends on the flange, and of the pivot-pin in the flange, theforward p0r- I 5 protecting-arms extending from the sides of tion of the said spring-back being cut out to 5 the back at the forward end thereof, to exgive access to the swinging part, as set forth. tend over the sides of the flange and over the In testimony whereof I have signed my ends of the pivot-pin in the flange, substan name to this specification in the presence of tially as shown and described. two subscribing witnesses.

2. A flange-shield having a curved spring- FREDERICK C. BILLINGS. 10 back for engagement withaflange-screw, and Vitnesses:

adaptedto rest at its ends on the flange, and ELMER L. ENGLISH,

protecting-arms extending from the sides of 1 W. A. TALDON. 

